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How to Wash Fleece

Fleece washes at 30°C on a gentle, inside out cycle. The right detergent, how to dry it, and the one mistake that causes most fleece damage.

Fabric Care1 min readPublished Priya Nair

In short

  • Wash at 30°C (86°F) on a gentle, inside out cycle, using small amount, no softener.
  • Dry line dry; tumble low at most. Iron: never.
  • Fleece is dimensionally stable, so the main risks are heat damage and finish rather than shrinkage.

Fleece is polyester knitted and then brushed. The pile is what traps warm air, and it flattens permanently under heat and heavy detergent.

How to wash fleece

Care guidance by garment
GarmentWashDryNotes
Fleece30°C (86°F)line dry; tumble low at mostsmall amount, no softener
Care guidance by garment

Use a gentle, inside out cycle and small amount, no softener. It sheds microplastics in the wash more than almost any other fabric. A filter bag genuinely reduces what reaches the water supply.

Drying and ironing

Dry line dry; tumble low at most. For ironing: never.

Fleece attracts lint and pet hair electrostatically, which is why it should be washed separately from anything that sheds.

How long it should last

Three to ten years; the pile matting is what ends it, not a hole.

Quick reference

Fleece at a glance

  • Wash: 30°C (86°F)
  • Cycle: gentle, inside out
  • Detergent: small amount, no softener
  • Dry: line dry; tumble low at most
  • Iron: never

Frequently asked questions

What temperature should I wash fleece at?

30°C (86°F), on a gentle, inside out cycle with small amount, no softener.

Does fleece shrink?

Not significantly. Fleece is dimensionally stable — the risks are heat damage and loss of finish rather than shrinkage.

How should I dry fleece?

Line dry; tumble low at most.

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